Suggestions for warm-weather non-beach-goer trip

[DavidInNH]

Hi folks.

My wife has a vacation week coming up in late February and wants to go someplace warm. Ideally, we'd like to go somewhere that I could dive while she could do other things than sitting on a beach (she's not into that).

We're about to start looking into places such as Cozumel, the Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico but figured this was a good place to start.

Thanks in advance.

- Dave

 

[Scubagolf]

Before my wife was certified 4 years ago (she is now a certified Scuba nutcase) we went places where I could dive in the AM and there was stuff to do in the afternoons and evenings. Cozumel is very good. If you like upscale hotels, look at either the Cozumel Palace (4-stars, all-inclusive, very nice accomodations, and close to town) or the Presidente Interecontinental Cozumel (4-1/2 stars, a bit farther from town but cabs are cheap and easy, good dive op on-site.) We have stayed at both in the recent past. The US Virgin Islands is also a fun place, and many choices there.

 

[imwright1985]

Just go to south florida, its relatively cheap, you got plenty of options to dive and 3 decent shore dive spots, and you dont need a passport

 

[firstdive2005]

Cozumel, cheap, fun, rent a ferrari and go island cruising. I like staying at Park Royal, AI and spotless. Not too far from downtown. Also I like diving with Scuba Mau, they are close to PR. A lot of fun diving with them.

 

[DavidInNH]

Just go to south florida, its relatively cheap, you got plenty of options to dive and 3 decent shore dive spots, and you dont need a passport

We've been to Florida but wanted something different this time. My dad lives right near you (Lake Worth) and I tend to dive out of Boynton and the keys. I expect I'll be down there later this month for a few days in fact, but the trip in February is for the wife to enjoy and she's not that crazy about going back to Florida. We were last there two years ago, to Sanibel and the west coast. We've also made a trip down to the keys where she swam with the dolphins and we did the bar-hopping in Key West. Tried to go snorkeling at Looe Key (one of my favorites) but winds didn't cooperate.

Thanks for the suggestion though. As I said, I'll be there soon.

 

[Saltwater Junky]

I've been looking into Nassau, Bahamas. Been reading that a lot of the hotels have deals to use the Atlantis resort facilities w/o their prices.

 

[greylion]

Aruba has gambling and good wind surfing, Playa Del Carmen has great hotels, golf, Mayan Ruins, just a couple of additional choices.

 

[robint]

Hi folks.

My wife has a vacation week coming up in late February and wants to go someplace warm. Ideally, we'd like to go somewhere that I could dive while she could do other things than sitting on a beach (she's not into that).

We're about to start looking into places such as Cozumel, the Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico but figured this was a good place to start.

Thanks in advance.

- Dave

Cozumel is always a good place to mix divers and non-divers. If you are looking for Feb dates though you might keep in mind that Carnivale week may have higher prices and less rooms available. Look at Hotel Cozumel for a decent hotel for less $$. It is close to town (for non-diver) but as expensive as the all-inclusives. Food is cheap there so no need to do a meal plan unless you really want one. There are lots of topside activities she can book while you are gone diving, too.

Another couple of nice places are Fiesta Americana and Casa del Mar - but both too far to walk to town so you will need to use taxis or rent a car.

Scuba Club Cozumel is an all-inclusive right next to Hotel Cozumel. It is very nice but as I said, you don't really need to do the all-inclusive thing as there are so many good restaurants downtown.

robin

 

[jumboshrimp]

what about mexico's main land or the yucatan peninsula for that matter? cozumel is nice and there's always a spot with low waves (as on most islands ;-)) however i found the ocean diving not so thrilling (being spoiled by the red sea admittedly). on the yucatan island you can do cave/ cavern diving which is Really Cool. you can do ocean as well if you still like after having been in the caves. there are lots of resorts scaling from all-inclusive to stand alone beach huts. if your wife is into old stones there are great ruins to visit in tulum and within daytrips away from there.

jumboshrimp:arrr:

 

[1_T_Submariner]

Lake Superior, you can go Ice diving and your wife could go Skiing, snowboarding, Snow Mobiling That warm stuff is overrated!


Ok if you must Curacao is pretty nice. The diving is good and there are things to do topside.